A Summer to Remember

I only have 7 weeks left to be an intern at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge for this summer, and I'm already certain that this is a summer to remember. I've gotten to experience and be a part of so many opportunities already, and there are so many more in the near future. I haven't been documenting my days in anyway lately, but I wanted to make a blogpost with some of the photos taken over the past week or so. 

I've been successfully leading guided walks at Holgate beach, and the busiest day so far has been Friday, July, 5th, interacting with 204 people in all. There's been rain, sun, wind, and fog. A beach is susceptible to many different kinds of weather, so I have to keep an eye on the radar every time I go out. I was able to go out with the biology interns yesterday, and we took down water salinity at the refuge and pulled invasive plants out. It's exciting that I get to have a chance at a new experience every week, but I do wish it occurred more often. I just know that I want to make the most of what time I have left!  

Findings on one beachcombing walk: crab claw, jingle shell, and cow vertebra.

I was so excited to find a jingle shell!

Photo of Holgate beach during one of my walks, originally posted on Friends of Forsythe Facebook.

A foggy day at the beach.

Box turtle seen sunbathing in the road. 

Lily Lake during a bird walk I attended.

Fowler's toad. I love these guys, but I wish they weren't so small and all over the roads!

Another Fowler's toad I'm holding. Different color morph. Originally posted on Forsythe NWR Facebook.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Spending time here at another refuge, I can't help but recall memories made at the first refuge I interned at last fall: Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, located in South Texas. It's been almost a year, and I still get excited thinking of all that I was able to experience. I'm originally from South Texas, so the area wasn't as much of a culture shock as it could have been. My internship was mainly visitor services and outreach events, which had me running the Visitor Center a lot and also promoting the refuge in various locations. I was also able to be a tour guide on the tram that traveled the wildlife drive. I had originally hoped to have more experience with educating, working with schools in the area, but I was happy to have done what I was able to do. I also had the privilege of creating a refuge event that had never been done before. It was a lot of work but totally worth it! I appeared on TV to promote the event, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but many people showed up, and the kids all really enjoyed it. I'm hoping my experience here at Forsythe NWR will be just as memorable. Below are some photos from my adventures in Texas!

Map of Santa Ana

One of two towers on the refuge

Spanish moss

Cemetery on the refuge

Me with the Blue Goose at RGV Birding Festival

Face make-up to be an ocelot!

Getting ready for a Christmas parade

Giving a tour

Discussing invasive plants

Talking about cats

Dressed up for the scavenger hunt!

Video of myself and another intern promoting the refuge scavenger hunt